Amidst the preparations for merging guilds within the Mercenary Guild, a dispute erupted in the highest echelons of the black market in Jiangcheng Shelter No. 2.
"How could you act without consulting us and dispatch death warriors to track someone?" President Yang questioned the person opposite him, his face grim.
The person facing him showed no deference and replied bluntly, "Our R-country branch is not subordinate to your Z-country branch, and we don't need your consent to do anything. I hope you understand this, President Yang!"
Hearing this, President Yang also retorted indignantly, "But this is Z-country, not R-country! Your actions will jeopardize our plans!"
"If you continue to be so reckless, then I will have no choice but to ask you to return to R-country!"
The person opposite sneered, "Does President Yang not want the longevity elixir anymore?"
President Yang's expression immediately faltered at these words. Since the solar storm began, they had lost contact with the Holy Light Organization's headquarters, and their supply of longevity elixirs was dwindling. To maintain the relationships with the high-ranking officials they had swayed, the longevity elixirs were crucial. The R-country branch, with scientists involved in the headquarters' project, not only possessed the method to extract the longevity elixir that slows aging but could also produce the cell-reversal longevity elixir. In this regard, the Z-country branch was inferior, lacking any technological mastery. He still relied on the R-country branch to continue obtaining the longevity elixirs.
Seeing President Yang's reaction, the other person continued disdainfully, "Furthermore, whether our R-country guild members come to Z-country or return to R-country is not for your Z-country guild to decide!"
President Yang's facial muscles twitched. R-country had planted seeds in Z-country, and after R-country's high officials joined the Holy Light Organization, these seeds had become their subordinates. Now, even within Z-country, many individuals were controlled by the R-country branch. Their Z-country guild was unaware of who these people were. It was possible that even the Z-country branch had R-country branch operatives within it. If the two sides fell out, and with no contact to the headquarters, the R-country branch might very well absorb the Z-country branch.
"But your dispatched death warriors not only caused such a commotion but were also captured alive by officials. How do you plan to deal with that?" President Yang asked through gritted teeth.
The other person smiled and patted President Yang's shoulder, saying, "This will be troublesome for President Yang. We'll need you to help us get them out of the prison. We'll give you an additional 10 doses of the longevity elixir that slows aging as compensation."
President Yang, initially angered then pleased, asked with surprise, "What is the significance of this girl that you're willing to pay such a high price to capture her?"
The other person sighed and said, "To be frank, we captured that girl for the purpose of developing body-strengthening elixirs. The reason we're developing body-strengthening elixirs at all costs is that the longevity organisms used to produce the longevity elixirs have been decreasing since the catastrophe began. We need body-strengthening elixirs to maintain the survival of these longevity organisms, enabling them to produce longevity elixirs. Otherwise, within five years, our supply of longevity elixirs will be depleted! Now, do you understand our urgency?"
President Yang finally grasped the gravity of the situation.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Tang Li explained that she had been targeted and tracked by R-country people due to her unique physical constitution, admitting that she would inevitably clash with them. Upon hearing this, everyone expressed their lack of fear regarding conflict with the R-country people. Tang Li was very gratified by their response.
After discussing this matter, the group proceeded to apply for the establishment of a "United Task Force." The formation of a new task force naturally required a period of adjustment. The Mercenary Guild also granted the "United Task Force" a week for team cohesion. Tang Li's schedule became less tight, and her mission departure was postponed to June 11th. For the next five days, Tang Li visited the black market every morning and the Mercenary Guild in the afternoon. Nothing else happened, and even the people tracking her disappeared. Until the early morning of June 9th, a group of uninvited guests broke into her home...